Binghamton police and fire officials are investigating a blaze on the West Side in a house where a person's body was found.

One firefighter was injured while battling the blaze at 109 Walnut Street. The fire was reported shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday.

Assistant fire chief Stephen Faughnan said the wind-driven blaze spread quickly through the wood-frame building. He said flames were shooting through the windows when firefighters arrived.

Officials said the Walnut Street house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Officials said the Walnut Street house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Police Detective Captain John Ryan said a body - believed to be that of an adult - was discovered in the house. He said investigators will be working to determine the cause of death in connection with the "suspicious" fire.

Ryan said at least three other adults and several children were able to safely escape the burning building. It appeared there were three apartments in the building but it was not known whether all had been occupied at the time of the fire.

Debris was strewn outside the fire-damaged apartment building. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Debris was strewn outside the fire-damaged apartment building. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Faughnan said one firefighter was taken to Binghamton General Hospital after he went through a window to get out following a flashover in a first-floor room. The firefighter was treated and released.

Walnut Street was closed between North and Thorp streets for several hours. Water used to fight the fire quickly froze on the street.

Walnut Street and sidewalks near the fire scene were covered in ice. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Walnut Street and sidewalks near the fire scene were covered in ice after the fire on February 9, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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